As more and more people are becoming increasingly comfortable with travel, the demand to have an authentic local experience has risen, too. And since creating an app is a piece of cake these days, the number of peer-to-peer apps, which connect travelers to locals, has risen dramatically. Whether you're looking for car rentals or a personal tour guide or even a spot at a local's kitchen table, there are apps for practically anything you could need whether you’re traveling for business or pleasure. We’ve gathered up a few of our favorite peer-to-peer travel apps at the moment to help guarantee an authentic experience.
1. Vayable
You’ve probably seen giant tour companies rolling through cities like New York and Los Angeles carrying literal busloads of tourists around to the most cliched parts of town, and you might have thought to yourself how you’d never be caught dead on one of them. That being said, it’s helpful to have a tour guide whisk you to the best spots in town. Vayable offers up a unique solution, allowing you to spontaneously book tours with real locals for almost anything. From tasting all the best soup dumplings in Manhattan’s Chinatown with a food blogger to a jog through Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood with a marathoner, the tours allow travelers to have one-on-one interaction with real people who love their city and love what they do. Vayable, available on the iOS App Store.
2. Spinlister
If you’re traveling to a European city like Copenhagen or Berlin and want to immerse yourself in the region’s rich cycling culture, Spinlister allows you to rent a bicycle from locals, with hourly, daily, and weekly rates. You can choose from vintage racers for that Tour de France feeling, or a tandem for family excursions. Spinlister also allows you to rent surfboards and paddleboards, if, for example, you find yourself in southern California on a day with perfect waves. Spinlister, available on the iOS App Store and Google Play Store for Android.
3. Turo
If you’re one of the many travelers who hates dealing with the long lines, high prices, and limited availability of the big-name rental car companies, Turo may be just the exit you need. Turo lets users rent cars from people who live in the area, and the selection is incredible — you can select anything from a Ford Focus to an Aston Martin, depending on where you are. Instant booking is available, so you can hop in Matthew’s Porsche 911 convertible right at LAX and cruise straight onto Highway 1. Turo, available on the iOS App Store and Google Play Store for Android.
4. VizEat
Perfect for solo business travelers, VizEat lets you book a spot at someone’s kitchen table for an evening with new friends. VizEat has listings available for everything from intimate wine tastings to full-blown feasts, depending on your mood. All you have to do is book a seat (wine is BYO) and show up! The app also allows for booking special events like cooking classes in Paris or dinner aboard a boat in Barcelona. VizEat is a great way to not only try out local cuisine, but to learn more about the culture of a place and meet new friends along the way. VizEat, available on the iOS App Store and Google Play Store for Android.
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